A meta‐analysis of haddock size‐selection data

Many jurisdictions have introduced management regimes prohibiting or limiting discarding, and a key objective of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy is the gradual elimination of discards. One way of reducing the catch of unwanted fish is to use more size‐selective gears. Gear‐based management options can best be explored using models that predict size selection across a wide range of variables related to gear design. Such a model is developed for haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) through a meta‐analysis of 21 trials of codend selection and 19 trials of the combined selection of the codend and a square mesh panel. Individual‐haul estimates of the 50% retention length (l₅₀) and the selection range (SR) are related to a set of explanatory variables through a structural model that describes the dual process of panel and codend selection. Codend l₅₀ and SR are positively related to codend mesh size and negatively related to the codend twine diameter. Codend l₅₀ is also negatively related to the number of open meshes around the codend circumference. Panel l₅₀ increases with panel mesh size. The panel contributes more to gear selection as it is moved closer to the codline. The panel is most effective between November and January and least between May and July, periods which broadly coincide with peak and poor haddock condition. The results are illustrated for a typical trawler targeting haddock in the Scottish whitefish sector, and the utility of the model for gear design and legislation is discussed.     

In Vitro Perfused Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Tails: A Potential Model for Studying Post-Harvest Tissue Chemistry and Metabolism in Valuable Fish Tissues

Perfusion of fish tissues may provide a model for manipulating their properties post-harvest. Perfusion of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) tails in vitro with oxygenated physiological saline at 5°C showed delivery to the muscle was at the ratio of 5.8:1 red:white muscle, respectively. Treatment with sodium nitroprusside (a nitric oxide donor) did not improve delivery to the white muscle. Perfusion at 15°C with and without ascorbic and uric acids showed that the inclusion of antioxidants reduced protein oxidation but did not reduce lipid peroxidation in the red muscle. This technique, with further development, shows potential as a post-mortem research tool.     

Effect of short-term fresh food supplementation on reproductive performance, biochemical composition, and fatty acid profile of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) reared under biofloc conditions

A 40-day trial was performed to evaluate the effect of short-term natural fresh food (FF) supplementation 20 days prior to ablation in Litopenaeus vannamei broodstock raised under biofloc conditions. Changes in biochemical composition and fatty acids profile were used as indicators of nutritional condition. Females that received FF supplementation (FLOC + FF) achieved better eggs production, spawned more promptly, and presented higher levels of HUFA in eggs as compared to those that did not received FF (FLOC). Proximate analysis of biofloc and microorganisms assessment showed a higher crude protein and lipid content in the FLOC + FF treatment (26.3 and 0.7 %) compared to FLOC treatment (18.4 and 0.3 %) and also demonstrated a higher concentration of filamentous cyanobacteria and nematodes. The better outcomes obtained in females that received short-term FF supplementation justified the FF use in L. vannamei broodstock.     

Evaluation of biofloc technology in pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus duorarum culture: growth performance, water quality, microorganisms profile and proximate analysis of biofloc

In a 210d experiment, the potential of biofloc technology (BFT) was evaluated for Farfantepenaeus duorarum. Water quality parameters, microorganisms profile and proximate analysis of biofloc were also assessed. BFT did not improve the growth performance in F. duorarum when compared to conventional clear-water water exchange system (final weight and survival of 13.3 g and 63.2 %; and 13.9 g and 81.4 %, respectively). Microorganism assessment suggested a higher presence of filamentous cyanobacteria followed by protozoa, nematodes and copepods. Proximate analysis of biofloc showed crude protein and crude lipid means levels of 25 and 0.6 %, respectively, and these values varied during the experiment. F. duorarum seemed to be susceptible to high stocking density and high levels of suspended solids (>15 mL L^?1).     

Preliminary in vivo study on the potential application of a novel method of e-tracking to facilitate traceability in the poultry food chain

The feasibility of using GS1 DataMatrix (GS1 DM) barcodes laser printed onto the beaks of poultry as a possible method of identification and, therefore, traceability of the individual were examined in this study, including a preliminary live trial on layer hens. The optimal laser type and settings for this particular application had been selected during previous in vitro and in vivo trials. GS1 DM barcodes were printed on both sides of the beaks of mature layer hens and read using a high specification camera based 1-Dimensional/2-Dimensional (1-D/2-D) DataMan 7500 barcode reader. The reading procedure was repeated on a number of occasions over a 5 week period to examine the effects of time in a commercial environment on the clarity and readability of the GS1 DM barcode, and the ability of the printed GS1 DM barcodes to resist the physical and chemical challenges of such a setting. The results show a very short timeframe during which all barcodes, both right and left combined, remain readable. Thereafter the readability deteriorates rapidly, due to the growth and healing of the beaks of the layer hens. Results also show that there was no significant difference in the readability between GS1 DM barcodes printed on the right or left side of the beak. The proportion of identification (ι) (i.e. number of layers identifiable by either one or two readable GS1 DM barcodes) was also calculated. All layer hens were fully identifiable for a seven day period by either one or two readable GS1 DM barcodes. Further analysis showed that the proportion of identification (ι) was significantly higher for layer hens when identified with two GS1 DM barcodes as opposed to just one. Secure movement control of live mature poultry at vulnerable points in the food chain, such as transfer of ownership, could well be facilitated by the use of this technology, thereby preventing fraud or substitution at these points.     

Sex-structured population dynamics of blue marlin Makaira nigricans in the Pacific Ocean

The population dynamics of the blue marlin Makaira nigricans stock in the Pacific Ocean were estimated for 1971–2011 using a fully integrated length-based, age-, and sex-structured model. Fishery-specific catch, size composition, and catch-per-unit of effort were used in the modeling as likelihood components. Estimated dynamics were consistent with a stock that is fully exploited and stable over the last several years. No significant trends in recruitment were noted; however, female blue marlin were estimated to make up a majority of the catch, and historical exploitation has disproportionately changed the age structure of females relative to males. This result is due to differences in assumed life history and estimated selectivity. Changes to important life history parameters that are responsible for the productivity of the stock would potentially change the interpretation of current stock status.     

Short-term browsing by roe deer has little effect on survival and growth of sessile oak seedlings

We studied the effect of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) browsing on the growth and mortality of sessile oak (Quercus petraea) seedlings. First, we measured the height and basal diameter, and counted the number of shoots of the 849 seedlings of an experimental plantation, 60 of which were individually protected by fencing. We then introduced two tame roe deer females every day for three weeks from late May to mid-June. Measurements and counts were repeated after roe deer removal, then once again the following winter. We found no significant effect of browsing on mortality, total height, or basal diameter of the seedlings. However, the browsed seedlings exhibited a lower number of shoots despite regrowth observed after roe deer removal. We propose to use the tolerance of oak to deer browsing to promote natural and inexpensive methods, to protect oak during regeneration, such as the spatial arrangement of plants or the use of slash or surrounding vegetation in favourable environments.     

Extractable and dissolved soil organic nitrogen - A quantitative assessment

Extractable Organic N (EON) or Dissolved Organic Nitrogen (DON) pools are often analyzed to predict N mineralisation, N leaching, and to evaluate agricultural (nutrient) management practices. Size and characteristics of both pools, however, are strongly influenced by methodology. Quantifying the influence of methodology can increase the accuracy of soil tests to predict N mineralisation, improve model simulations, and can help to quantify the contribution of the EON and DON pools to soil N cycling. We estimated the relative impact of methodological, management, and environmental factors on EON and DON, using a meta-analysis approach based on 127 studies. Our results indicate that the EON and DON pools are neither similar in size nor controlled by the same factors. The influence of factors controlling EON generally decreased in the order of methodology (Δ10-2400%), followed by environment (Δ11-270%) and management (Δ16-77%). DON concentrations were primarily controlled by management factors: different land use and fertilisation caused a variation of 37-118%. Seasonal variations in DON concentrations were generally smaller than variations in EON, suggesting that high mineralisation and sorption rates buffer DON. The large range in EON as affected by different methodology emphasizes the importance of using appropriate and standardized methods for the determination of EON. The determination of DON can be useful to estimate leaching losses. EON, however, can be used to assess the impact of soil management practices on the turnover rate of labile soil organic matter pools.     

Euphresco Sendo: An international laboratory comparison study of molecular tests for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Synchytrium endobioticum</Emphasis> detection and identification

An international test performance study (TPS) was organised to generate validation data for three molecular Synchytrium endobioticum tests: van den Boogert et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology 113, 47–57, 2005), and van Gent-Pelzer et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 126, 129-133, 2010) for the detection of S. endobioticum, and the pathotype 1(D1) identification test described by Bonants et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 143, 495-506, 2015). Two TPS rounds were organised focussing on different test matrices, i.e. round 1: warted potato tissue, and round 2: resting spore suspensions. When using the tests for detection and identification of S. endobioticum in warted potato tissue, no significant differences were observed for diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, overall accuracy, analytical sensitivity and robustness. When using the tests for detection and identification of S. endobioticum in resting spore suspensions, the van den Boogert and van Gent-Pelzer tests significantly outperform the Bonants test for diagnostic sensitivity and diagnostic specificity. For overall accuracy and analytical sensitivity, the van Gent-Pelzer significantly outperforms the van den Boogert and Bonants tests and is regarded as the test of choice when identifying S. endobioticum from resting spores. Tests regarded fit for purpose for routine testing of wart material and resting spore suspensions are proposed for the update of EPPO standard PM7/28(1) Synchytrium endobioticum.